Crepe craze taking over Valley

Sous Chef John O'Brien (left) and Executive Chef Dustin Selvaggio at 187 Rue Principale, a new French restaurant on Main Street in Emmaus.

Sous Chef John O'Brien (left) and Executive Chef Dustin Selvaggio at 187 Rue Principale, a new French restaurant on Main Street in Emmaus.

Ryan Kneller

Ooo la la! Crepes on order in Lehigh Valley.

It can be sweet. It can be savory. And now, it can be found close to your home. I'm talking about the popular French dish known as a crepe.

In the past couple of months, two eateries serving the thin pancakes opened in Emmaus and Center Valley and three more are expected to open soon in Bethlehem and Easton.

Those that have already made their tasty debut include Emmaus' 187 Rue Principale (Nov. 18), a 50-seat restaurant also serving other French fare such as duck breast and pan-fried rabbit at 187 Main St.; and Center Valley's Crepe Soleil (Dec. 26), a fast-casual eatery also serving organic coffee and other specialty beverages at the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley (next to GNC).

In Bethlehem, two creperies are planning to open in the coming weeks: Cachette Bistro & Creperie at 504 Main St. and Vava's Creperie Cafe at 2362 Catasauqua Road.

Cachette Bistro & Creperie is planning to open Jan. 20 at 504 Main St. in Bethlehem, next to Tapas on Main.

Cachette Bistro & Creperie is planning to open Jan. 20 at 504 Main St. in Bethlehem, next to Tapas on Main.

Cachette is shooting for a Jan. 20 opening, according to co-owner Rafael Palomino, who also operates Easton’s Mesa Modern Mexican and the adjacent Tapas on Main Spanish restaurant with business partner Juan Carlos Paredes.

The French-style eatery will be an extension of Tapas with customers being able to walk back and forth between the two.

It will offer luscious crepes — from banana and Nutella to mozzarella and prosciutto — as well as specialty coffees, beignets, salads, and breakfast items on weekends. Outdoor seating is planned for warmer months.

Vava's is aiming to open by Feb. 2 in the Shoppers Village shopping center, according to owner Kathie McGlynn of Bethlehem. The space was formerly occupied by The Gyro Company, which closed Nov. 21.

Owner of Full of Crepe LLC, K. Ashley Caldwell poses with a Rubalcava Chupacabra crepe she made. The business at 333 S. New Street in south Bethlehem is planning to open a second location in Easton.

Owner of Full of Crepe LLC, K. Ashley Caldwell poses with a Rubalcava Chupacabra crepe she made. The business at 333 S. New Street in south Bethlehem is planning to open a second location in Easton.

The 12-seat eatery, named after McGlynn's French grandmother, will serve crepes, croissants, quiche, baguette sandwiches, salads and coffee. Hours will be 7 a.m-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

All of the restaurants join south Bethlehem's 2-year-old Full of Crepe, which is preparing to open its second location at 22 S. Second St. in Easton, according to its Facebook page.